Passport processing sites soon available in malls

By Precie Catherine C. Cuarto

Tuesday 13th of March 2012

QUEZON CITY, March 13 (PIA) -- The passport processing sites of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are now slowly moving into the malls as part of the Public-Private Partnership program of the government.

DFA Director Andre Peter Estanislao said ‘passporting sites’ in SM Megamall and SM Manila may be available by the middle of the year to accommodate first time and for renewal passport applications.

These soon-to-open sites followed the recent migration of DFA’s regional consular office of Cebu into the Pacific Mall in Mandaue City.

Estanislao, however, clarified that these sites will serve only those who have filed an appointment, and that ‘the appointment is free of charge.’

On the appointment date, the applicant must bring the requirements enumerated in the checklist provided by the DFA, which are also available for download at from the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph). Further, Estanislao advised that the applicant must present himself or herself to the DFA 30 minutes before the set appointment time.

The primary proof of identification that the applicant must present is birth certificate authenticated by the NSO (National Statistics Office). Secondary proofs of identification are those government-issued identification cards such as driver’s license, SSS or GSIS card, NBI clearance, police clearance, Form 137 or transcript of records, and school or employment ID, among others.

The DFA does not accept postal ID, said Estanislao. DFA would consider the baptismal certificate valid only if the applicant has at all no record at the NSO or local civil registrar. The baptismal certificate should be certified by the NSO prior to submission.

Application fee is P950 for passport that can be claimed after 15 working days. Otherwise, P1,200 is charged for express processing which will take only seven working days. Receipt of payment serves as the claim stub for passport.

If applicant wishes to receive passport via courier, a maximum fee of P150 (nationwide but depending on area proximity) is added to the payment for actual passport.

Estanislao said the passport fee in the Philippines is one of the most affordable and lowest-priced passports in the ASEAN region.

Estanislao was guest in today’s Talking Points radio program, sponsored by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Philippine Information Agency, and Philippine Broadcasting Service. It airs Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Radyo ng Bayan DZRB 738 kHz AM. (RDA/PCC/PIA-Central)